Plans for 35 affordable homes in Buglawton, which received more than 100 objections, have been unanimously refused by Cheshire East councillors.

The application site is Hawthorn Cottage, Harvey Road, and the proposal, by David Poyner, of Davico Properties UK, included vehicle access from Gordale Close and landscaping.

However, Hawthorn Cottage, which would be retained, is occupied by residents who did not form any part of the application.

Cheshire East Council's planning officers had recommended the application for refusal, stating the plans would cause an "inappropriate form of development within the green belt, and would cause material harm to the openness of it".

The officers' report, which went before the Southern Planning Committee on Wednesday added that "insufficient information has been submitted to demonstrate that the development would not be harmful to the character and appearance of the area".

The report added that "it has not been demonstrated that the development could realistically be achieved without adverse impact upon the setting of the adjoining canal conservation area, protected trees and wildlife habitat".

The application had been changed to deliver a full affordable housing scheme. The plans were discussed at Wednesday's Southern Planning Committee.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Rob Moreton, ward councillor for Congleton, said: "Today, we have to do what is right for the people of Congleton and refuse this application.

"I feel so sorry for the residents in Buglawton, especially the residents who live in Gordale Close, who have had to fight against this application for many years.

"What has changed now, which could make a difference? Nothing really, the plot is still on green belt, there is still a large habitat there, I have even seen pictures of deer running about. All of this would be destroyed.

"In my opinion the access point would actually destroy Gordale Close, residents would no longer be able to park their cars on the roadside safely as it is not wide enough to cope with 50+ cars coming and going to the site.

"To get to the site you have to go through Swaledale Avenue, which is a very steep road. We have lost a lot of gritting routes around Buglawton from next year and I am sure this one of them, if it is, I fear for the safety of residents with 50+ cars this development would create.

"The only thing that has changed with the application is it is now providing 35 affordable houses, this in my opinion is an act of desperation by the applicant to at least get a deferral instead of a refusal recommended by planning officers, which has happened every time this application has been submitted in the past.

"We will have enough affordable housing with the developments happening now and in the future in Congleton, but we are fast running out of green space and need to protect what little green belt land we have left."

Congleton Town councillor Amanda Martin also spoke against the application and highlighted that the "narrow" Gordale Close, which has a "blind bend" was constructed to serve five houses "not 40".

Cllr Martin highlighted that the "irreplaceable" ancient woodland behind the meadow, which lies immediately adjacent to the site "must be preserved" and an "adequate" buffer area would be required as stated by Cheshire East's tree officer.

The semi-natural woodland is also designated as a local wildlife site - River Dane.

The meeting was told that the site had not been allocated for development in Cheshire East's Local Plan.

Agent Joe Nugent, who was speaking on behalf of the applicant, claimed that it was established that there was an 873 affordable homes shortfall in Congleton.

Mr Nugent said: "Therefore the key matter is green belt or rural exception sites. The green belt would require very special circumstances, which in this case would provide 35 affordable homes in perpetuity, addressing the shortfall of 873."

Daniel Evans, a planning officer for Cheshire East, stated that the 873 affordable homes shortfall, was in fact people, who were waiting on the Cheshire Homechoice list. They are specifically waiting for affordable housing only.

Highways expert Andrew Gallagher stated that the width of Gordale Close was between 5m and 5.5metres wide, which he felt was "more than enough" width for a car to get passed a parked car or vice versa for an emergency vehicle or HGV.

Mr Gallagher highlighted that the width of Gordale Close was not raised as a reason to refuse previous applications, which were closer to 50 units.

Congleton Town Council objected on various grounds including highway and safety issues, tree loss and traffic generation.

There were over 100 comments sent to Cheshire East objecting to the application on several grounds.

Cllr Denis Murphy, a ward councillor for Congleton, said: "I do not accept that an application based on the fact it is solely affordable housing should override the objections that have been put forward."

Committee members unanimously refused the application on the grounds and reasons recommended by the planning officer.